Read the discussion in Worlds of Music about “Zuta Baba” and listen to the recording while following the Active Listening guide. Compare what you hear to the field recording of ganga singing presented earlier in this chapter (Sisters, Hold on to Your Chastity). What is the context of “Sisters, Hold on to Your Chastity?” How is the concept of “fusion” achieved in “Zuta Baba?”

Question

Include an explanation of the two types of ganga singing suggested by Worlds of Music in your answer.

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

• "Sisters, Hold on to Your Chastity" is ganga singing by three girls who grew up together as friends (i.e., rural ganga singing) on Mount Bjelašnica, south of the capital city Sarajevo, in the independent state of Bosnia and Herzegovina (formerly one of the six republics of Yugoslavia). Three predominant ethnic groups –Bosniaks, Serbs, and Croats—live in the relatively pluralistic society of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Each group is associated with Muslims, Eastern Orthodox Christianity, and Roman Catholicism respectively, but not every member of these ethnic groups actually practices the associated religion.
"Zuta Baba" is a version of a genre of traditional Bosnian village singing called šaljive pjesme (joking songs) that shares some of the musical qualities of ganga—close polyphony (dissonant to many Western listeners), loud, direct singing, and phrases ending in pitches that descend downward (glissando) or a high yelp. However, "Zuta Baba" was produced in an academic setting (female students from Wesleyan University) in contrast to the rural setting of "Sisters, Hold on to Your Chastity" where by custom long-time girlfriends sing together until they are married. The "academic version" is a worldbeat fusion combining traditional elements of ganga singing with a strong rock beat and background.